Tuesday’s Music Theory Gym and its Stevie Wonder adds where we find a convergence of ascending and descending movement. What makes this song so uplifting? Well, we have this descending line on top, but the chords are pretty simple.
We get a minor chord and then it’s 5 chord, back to the minor, and then the major 4. And over the top of this, a descending line. The tonic, the third of the 5 chord, the flat 7 of the tonic, and the third of the 4 chord.
But the magic happens when we add the bass. It’s a rising tide. The bass moves in the other direction.
You’ll find melodies everywhere if where to look. The root, that’s the fifth of the 5 chord, the third of the root, and the root of the 4 chord. It lies in contrast not just to the descending melody, but to the descending melody of the verse.
That’s another topic, but either way, what a great way to energize a song or chord progression and make it feel aspirational. We put the music you love under the microscope at Music Theory Gym every week, and if you or someone belongs in a Beat Kitchen class. Share this post.
